Jimmie Johnson’s Hendrick Motorsports No. 48 Chevrolet will have full sponsorship support from Ally Financial for the next two years.

“This is a proud day for our entire organization,” said Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports. “Ally has built a tremendous brand by putting the customer at the center of their decisions and doing things right. In the same way, Jimmie has always put people first and handled himself like a champion in every sense of the word.

“Ally’s full-season commitment makes a powerful statement about their enthusiasm for him, our program and the direction of our sport. It’s an unbelievable fit, and all of us are thrilled to launch what will be a long and successful partnership.”

Hendrick Motorsports announced the news before the start of Sunday’s First Data 500 at Martinsville Speedway. Ally Financial will be on the No. 48 Chevrolet for all 38 races in 2019 and 2020. The company is replacing Lowe’s, which has been Johnson’s only partner since 2001.

Ally Financial and Hendrick Motorsports have ties, and it was Rick Hendrick who reached out to the company about a potential partnership. Jeffrey Brown, the CEO of Ally, was the one who suggested the commitment of full seasons worth of sponsorship.

In 2010, GMAC was rebranded to Ally Financial. GMAC was a sponsor of Ricky Hendrick, Rick’s son. In 2003 when HMS driver Brian Vickers won the Xfinity Series championship, GMAC was the team’s sponsor.

“We are beyond thrilled to be in the fast lane with Jimmie Johnson, one of the most successful drivers in the history of NASCAR, and with Hendrick Motorsports, a premier organization in professional sports,” said Brown.

“Both share Ally’s passion for delivering results for our customers and for our communities, with a deep commitment to ‘do it right’ for the people who count on us most. We look forward to working with this extraordinary team to build a strong and successful relationship as Ally enters this exciting sport.”

Said Johnson, “The opportunity to work with a partner like Ally is incredible. The commitment to leading in both the workplace and the community is something that resonates with me in a big way. They’ve sent a strong message about how much they believe in me and in our team, and I will do my part to make sure it’s the best investment they’ve ever made. I’m ready to chase more history with Ally on board the 48.”

FOR THE BEST IN RACING NEWS, ANALYSIS AND MORE VISIT RACER.COM

ABOUT KELLY CRANDALL

Kelly has been on the NASCAR beat full-time since 2013, and joined RACER as chief NASCAR writer in 2017. Her work has also appeared in NASCAR.com, the NASCAR Illustrated magazine, and NBC Sports. A corporate communications graduate from Central Penn College, Crandall is a two-time George Cunningham Writer of the Year recipient from the National Motorsports Press Association.